So whats the best strategy for a 12 minute race. Lol.
Can you get to ledge faster enough to make it useful?
Or do you just rush Submerged and farm squids?

Get a character with Cleave and/or Ice Nova.
Spam Cleave/Ice Nova everywhere on your way to the Ledge.
But I guess some people (me included) won't even make it to the Ledge in 12 minutes...
I've never timed it but I guess it would be possible to rush your way there.

Edit: Why did Lioneyes crash me twice in a row? That never happens, but it was sad to see that in a race like this for that matter.

Literally a sliver of health for the Hillock kill, basically a millisecond off that time - oh well. That was the closest I've ever gotten for Hillock this time.

Got Level 5 as a Shadow, decent enough.

I don't think it matters what people think their playstyle says about themselves.
People in hardcore are playing a different game than people in default. Different rules, not better or worse. - pneuma, PoE Forum Moderator.